why and how is brining or pickling an example of osmosis?

Question

I have a biology test tomorrow and I still can’t understand the concept behind this and I think it’ll come out on the test. I need help, badly.

In: Biology

Answer 1

Think of osmosis as the diffusion of water, so it moves from high to low concentrations.

In the brining or pickling solution the concentration of water (water potential) is low. So during this process solutes (like salt) diffuse into the food, while water moves out of the food through osmosis. Both processes working together will eventually equalise the water potential and salt concentration inside the food and out.